Pumpkin hunt

Chillin'

Woodpecker

Aunt Carol filmed this as Mason was doing his woodpecker impression in a hunt to find food!

Smooch

Fuzz head

First bath/target practice

The premie

New big sis

Kenzie didn't like the thought of her new baby brother having to sleep in the NICU all by himself, so she read him a book to sleep. It was the sweetest moment. She left the book with him "just in case."

Incubator

At 8 pounds, 4 ounces, Mason Earl outweighed all the other babies in the NICU. The nurses called him the "Mac Daddy of the NICU." After four days his lungs were fully developed and he was released!

Almost ready

Taken as we arrived at the UW Medical Center for the Big Day.

Journal Entry: August 24, 2004

Hello Little One -

It's almost a month before your official due date, but only nine days before a tentative surgery date where we'd get to meet you! You're an active one in my belly. I watch your foot make my belly roll from one side to the other. You kick very hard and frequently get the hiccups. That's about all we know about you. Oh, we think you're a boy based on an early ultrasound, but we're not entirely sure. Shhhhh...nobody else knows that we got a peek! Everybody is looking forward to 9/2. We don't have a name picked out yet but like: Tyson, Lucas, Mason, Carter and Peyton. We don't know what you look like but are anxious to see your little face! Kenzie has named you Bubbles. She looks into my belly button and yells, "Come out and play with Kenzie!"

Slide

On the slide with Mary-Jewel and Kiley.

Kenzie bike ride